Contractors to build two roundabouts at Town End junction

Sam Cooper

Work to build two temporary roundabouts at Pontefract’s Town End junction will be carried out tomorrow (Tuesday) as a £600,000 project to ease congestion continues.

Wakefield Council is currently carrying out works to replace the traffic lights with two roundabouts.

The traffic lights were removed in May and contractors built a single temporary roundabout.

But drivers in the town claimed unclear signs and road markings last month led to four crashes in four days.

Now, the works will see two separate temporary roundabouts built at the site and motorists have been told to approach the junction with caution.

Coun David Dagger, the council’s cabinet member for transport and highways, said: “Our contractors have assured me that all necessary signage will be prominently displayed including advice that roadworks are taking place and indicating where to give way.

“We know that Town End Junction at Pontefract is one of the busiest junctions in the district and our contractors are working as fast as they can to deliver this project

“Please drive carefully and always approach the junction with the caution you would give any new road layout.

“These are essential roadworks to improve Town End, which in the long term will deliver real benefits to Pontefract by easing traffic congestion.

“Please be patient and drive safely while the work is carried out.”

The roundabouts will be built at the junction of Mill Hill and Wakefield Road and Jubilee Way and Southgate.

The works will begin at 7pm on Tuesday, June 30 and the entire project is expected to be completed in early autumn.